Attorney General Educates College Students About Identify Theft Dangers
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on August 13, 2018 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey urges college students to use caution as another school year begins and sensitive information is shared.
Identity thieves may take advantage of students’ newfound freedom to try and access personal and sensitive information.
“It can be pretty easy for college students to get caught up in the excitement of the college experience and forget how important it is to safeguard personal information,” Attorney General Morrisey said. “Not doing so can cause a lot of unwanted issues and headaches down the road.”
College is the first time many young adults are in charge of their own personal affairs, which makes them susceptible to scammers.
Students should use strong passwords to protect access to devices and never share or leave personal information on display.
Billing statements and other sensitive information should be shredded or kept secure rather than carried in a purse or backpack.
Students should also be wary of any unsolicited attempt to gain access to personal information and never divulge such information without verifying the authenticity of the recipient.
Additionally, college students are encouraged to download firewalls and software that prevent computer viruses and spyware from impacting their devices.
The Attorney General’s Office issues this advice as part of the fifth annual Off to College Consumer Protection Week. To learn about consumer protection efforts in West Virginia, visit www.ago.wv.gov/consumerprotection.
Anyone with questions should contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at 1-800-368-8808, the Eastern Panhandle Consumer Protection Office in Martinsburg at 304-267-0239 or visit the office online at www.wvago.gov.
Identity thieves may take advantage of students’ newfound freedom to try and access personal and sensitive information.
“It can be pretty easy for college students to get caught up in the excitement of the college experience and forget how important it is to safeguard personal information,” Attorney General Morrisey said. “Not doing so can cause a lot of unwanted issues and headaches down the road.”
College is the first time many young adults are in charge of their own personal affairs, which makes them susceptible to scammers.
Students should use strong passwords to protect access to devices and never share or leave personal information on display.
Billing statements and other sensitive information should be shredded or kept secure rather than carried in a purse or backpack.
Students should also be wary of any unsolicited attempt to gain access to personal information and never divulge such information without verifying the authenticity of the recipient.
Additionally, college students are encouraged to download firewalls and software that prevent computer viruses and spyware from impacting their devices.
The Attorney General’s Office issues this advice as part of the fifth annual Off to College Consumer Protection Week. To learn about consumer protection efforts in West Virginia, visit www.ago.wv.gov/consumerprotection.
Anyone with questions should contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at 1-800-368-8808, the Eastern Panhandle Consumer Protection Office in Martinsburg at 304-267-0239 or visit the office online at www.wvago.gov.
